Saturday's 9th race (5:17PM ET) from Belmont Park is the G1 Mother Goose S. for 3-year-old fillies traveling a mile and a sixteenth on the main track.
#3 Devil May Care (6-5) is the deserving favorite in this spot and should rebound from her 10th place finish in the Kentucky Derby. Actually, the Pletcher trainee made a wide move and ran well splitting the field on the first Saturday in May. She made it to the century mark in two of her three fast track attempts and a repeat of her G2 Bonnie Miss triumph would be more than enough. Johnny V rides her well and a tactical trip seems likely.
#1 Biofuel (5-1) is my pick to
complete the Exacta. The Woodbine shipper brings strong synthetic form
to the table. The 4-time winner captured both of her outings this year
and is proven over a route of ground. Her numbers are light but that is
typically the case with synthetic specialists. The all-weather race
shape is frequently slow early/fast late and it is tough to run a big fig
under those circumstances. This filly has talent and will be finishing
if she handles the footing.
Pletcher has two other entrants. #2 Ailalea (3-1) did not earn much of a number in the G3 Dogwood and will probably be overbet. #5 Katy Now (8-1) earned best last race speed rating in local six furlong Optional Claiming tally. The daughter of Tiznow should continue to progress but gives away valuable Stakes experience to her four rivals. She shoots for a four-bagger but was beaten soundly by Devil May Care last year. She is better now but so is my top.
#4 Connie And Michael (7-2) exits an easy flat mile wire job win at Churchill but did not run that fast and has stamina questions to answer.
THE PLAYS: $30 Exacta 3-1
Analysis by Jarrod Horak